Interval timer



14, 1950 G, w, CARMiCHAEL 2,497,584

INTERVAL TIMER Filed Dec. 6, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 en` O 30 0 G 000009600000009 Q @o G @D la INVENTOR ATTORNEY Gab/Q65 W C /CHAEL mwf Feb. 14, 1950 e. w. CARMICHAEI.. 2,497,584

INTERVAL TIMER Filed Dec. 6, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5

INVENTOR Geom/5W 6 /CHAEL MATTORNEY Feb. 14, 1A950 `cs'. w. cARM'lcHAEL 2,497,584

INTERVAL TIMER Filed Dec. 6, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR GEORGE W. CA M/CHAEL ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 14, 1950 IN TERVAL TIMER George W. Carmichael, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to Carmichael Machine Company, Columbus,

Ohio, a partnership Application December 6, 1945, Serial No. .633,111

The invention disclosed and described in this application relates to a timing device. It may be useful for the timing of industrial operations of various kinds. It may also be useful in industrial and domestic cooking operations. It may also be useful in many other situations which will be recognized by readers of the description following. The invention relates especially to timing devices of the character by which it is pos sible to time several operations simultaneously.

Heretofore, it has been fairly common to provide a timing device which may be set to give a signal at the end of a predetermined time; but it is not usual to provide such a device which may be set to give signals at the end of two or more predetermined different lengths of time, starting such timing intervals either simultaneously or at different times.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a timing device designed to be set simulta neously to time a plurality of diiferent intervals of time.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a timing device which at any time during the timing of one interval may be set to give a signal showing the passage, a subsequent interval of the same or any other predetermined length.

@ne feature of my invention is the provision of rotatable disk having a plurality of holes formed therein with which may be associated a plurality of removable pins, each ypin being adapted to operate switch means so as to give a signal at the end of a predetermined time from the instant at which the pin is inserted in the appropriate opening.

Further objects and features of my invention will be apparent from a consideration oi the following specification and claims in connection with the accompanying drawings in which one embodiment of my invention is disclosed for the purpose of illustration.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a timing device constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in horizontal section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. l looking up ward;

Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the timing device shown in Fig. 1 looking in the opposite direction from that in which the view of Fig. 1 appears; but having the casing removed so that the rear of the front plate and its associated mechanism is seen;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation and on an enlarged scale of a small portion of the 3 Claims. (Cl. ll-4) showing of Fig. l, looking in the same direction and having a portion of the front casing broken away in order to show the signal trip mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View partly in elevation partly in section and on a greatly enlarged scale from that of Fig. 1, being taken substantially on line 5-5 0i Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows but having the rotatable disk, dial, front lplate and the angle iron as well as the rear casing omitted;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in section on a still larger scale, having parts broken away and taken substantially on the line 6 5 of Fig. l looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary View partly in elevation and partly in section on a scale corresponding to that of Fig. 6, the section being taken substantially on the line im? of Fig. 6, the cover plate and rotatable disk being omitted and a portion of one of the supporting plates being broken away for clarity; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical circuits used in this embodiment oi my invention.

In the illustration of my invention disclosed in the drawings hereof, referring especially to Figures l and 2, it may be seen that I have shown a casing il having a cover plate l2 and a rear casing closure I3. As seen in Fig. 2, the casing is thus sealed and provides a moisture prooi container for the mechanism which in one preferred form is about 51/2 inches deep. Also, as seen in Fig. l, the casing is substantially square being approximately 25 inches on each side. The cover Iplate l2 has formed therewith or secured thereto a circular raised annulus or dial I4 which remains stationary relative to the plate l2 and cooperates with a rotatable disk l 5 mounted and driven as will be hereinafter described. The disk l5 is formed with a plurality of holes such as the holes I6. As shown in the illustration of my invention there are of these holes spaced at equal distances around the disk, each of these holes being spaced a distance from the adjacent hole such that the time required in the timer illustrated for one hole to be moved to the position occupied by the adjacent hole by the driving means provided, will be exactly one minute. Thus the disk may be rotated completely in exactly one hundred and twenty minutes or two hours. Each of the holes is adapted to receive a removable pin and as shown, there are three pins I1, I8 and i9 positioned in three of the holes. As will be subsequently explained, each of these pins when it reaches a predetermined position relative 3 to the annular dial I4 is arranged to close the switch and give a visible and/or audible signal.

I provide means for mounting the disk I5 for revolution upon the casing il. Referring especially to Figures 2 and 3, it may be seen that the disk I5 is secured to and supported by a rotatable shaft 2l. For example, the disk I5 rests upon a shoulder 22 formed on the shaft 2l and is clamped against the shoulder by a brass washer 23 which is held in place by a brass acorn nut 24. The nut 24, as shown, is internally threaded and screws upon the threaded upper end of the shaft 2l, pressing against the washer 23, and thus holding the disk I5 in place. The shaft 2| is mounted in bearings 25 and 25 which are formed integrally with or secured to plates 21 and 28, respectively. The plates 21 and 23 are secured to each other and to the cover plate I2 by four supports, two of which are shown in Fig. 2 and designated generally as 29 and 3l. Each of the four supports (e. g. 29 and 3|) comprises a pair of sleeves or spacers such as 32 and 33 through which there extends a post internally threaded at each end. Each post is secured at its upper end to the upper cover I2 by a screw 34 and at its lower end to the plate 28 by a screw 35. The posts are not shown, but it should be understood that the sleeves 32 and 33 surround their associated post and that the sleeves 32 bear at their upper ends on the plate 21 and at their lower ends on the plate 28, that the sleeves 33 bear at their lower end on the plate 2'! and at their upper end on the cover I2 and the screws 34 and 35 clamp the cover I2, plates 21 and 28, the eight sleeves 32 and 33, and the four posts (not shown) tightly together to secure the plates 21 and 28 firmly Ato the cover I2 and support the assembly. With the above explanation, the construction will be readily understood. Angle irons 31 and 38 (see Fig. 3) are welded to the cover I2; are provided with cutout portions receiving the upper sleeves 33; and aid in supporting the structure under the cover I2, and in bracing the cover.

I provide means for driving the disk l5 at a constant rate of speed. In the embodiment illustrated, as stated above, this speed is such that the disk makes one complete revolution in each one hundred and twenty minutes or two hours. Referring especially to Figures 3 and 5, it may be seen that there is mounted on the plate 21 a synchronous electric motor 4I having a shaft 42, extending through the plate 21 and carrying a small gear 43 which meshes with a larger gear 44 mounted on a shaft 45 extending through both of the plates 21 and 28. The shaft 45 carries a small gear 46 which meshes with the large gear 41. The gear 41 as shown especially in Figures 2 and 3 is mounted on the shaft 2l and is secured to-said shaft so that operation of the electric motor 4I (through the gears 43, 44, 48 and 41) drives the shaft 2l and `with it drives the disk I5 at a constant speed. Inasmuch as the motor is a synchronous electric motor, the speed of the disk I5 is uniform. The speed of the electric motor is such and the relative gearing of the gears 43, 44, 46 and 41 is such that the disk I5 revolves once in exactly one hundred and twenty minutes or two hours.

I provide means whereby rotation of the disk I5 operates one or more signals to indicate that a certain predetermined time has elapsed. Pins such as the pins I1, I8 and I9 are utilized for this purpose. Referring especially to Figures 1, 4 and 6, it will be noted that the pin I1 extends through the disk I5 and is arranged at times to 4 contact with the outwardly extending end 48 of a shaft 49. The shaft 49 extends through the cover plate I2 and through a pair of plates 5l and 52 secured (by means which will now be described) to the plate I2. The plate 5I is secured directly to the plate I2 as by welding at 53 and 54 and the plate 52 is secured to the plate 5I by means of screws 5B and 51, and cylindrical spacers 58 and 59 surrounding the screws 5B and 51 and interposed between the plates 5| and 52. The shaft 49 is provided with enlarged portions 8| and 62. The enlarged portion 52 has extending therefrom a trip lever leaf 63 formed at its outer end with a hook 84 (see Fig. 7). The portion 62 also has extending therefrom a projection 65 for purposes later described. Similarly mounted .between the plates 5I and 52 is a corresponding shaft 36 which is formed with enlarged portions 68, 89 and 18. The enlarger portion 69 is formed with a notch 'II which cooperates with the hook 64 of the trip lever leaf 63 as will subsequently be described. The enlarged portion 18 has secured thereto a radial arm 12 formed with a hooked end 13. At its rear end the enlarged portion 10 also has secured thereto a mercury switch 14 connected in an electrical circuit as will later be described. Parallel to the shafts 49 and 58 is a third shaft 15 which is mounted for rotation in the dial I4. At its forward end it carried a knurled head 13 and at its rearward end has an enlarged portion 11. Secured to this enlarged portion is an arm 18. Pivotally connected to the arm 18 and the hooked end 13 is a link 19 which connects the arm 18 and the end 13.

Above I have described in general the essential portions of my automatic switch unit including the mountings thereof on the plates 5I and 52 and the various shafts associated therewith. I will now describe the means for urging the shafts 49, 89 and 15 resiliently in a counter clockwise direction so that when released the shaft 66 will be turned to close the switch 14 and s0 that normally the shaft 49 is turned to move the hook 64 into the notch 1I to restrain the shafts -68 and 15 -against counter clockwise rotation. Thus in the normal position the switch 14 is maintained open.

The projection 55 of the enlarged portion 52 of the shaft 49 has connected to it, a tension spring 89 which at its opposite end, is secured to a bracket SI in turn secured by the screw 56 to the plate 52. A similar bracket 82 is secured to the plate 52 by the screw 51. The bracket 82 is connected to a similar spring 83 which has its opposite end connected to an extension 84 formed on the enlarged portion 69 of the `shaft 86. Thus looking at Fig. 7, it may be seen that the springs 88 and 83 tend to urge the shafts 49 and 86, respectively, in a counter clockwise direction as shown in Fig. '7. However, when the hook B4 of the trip lever leaf 83 is engaged in the notch 1l, the spring 83 is prevented from rotating the shaft 56. In such condition of the parts, the mercury switch 14 is open. Moreover, the contact of the hook 12 with the enlarged portion 69, serves as a stop to prevent undesired rotation of the shaft 49 by the spring 80. However, when any pin, as for example the pin l1, contacts the eX- tension 48 of the shaft 49 as shown in Fig. 4, the pin moves the extension 48 and rotates the shaft 49 in a clockwise direction against the action of the spring 88. This removes the hook 64 from the notch 1I and allows the spring 83 to rotate the shaft 68 in a counter clockwise direction. Rotation of the shaft 66 in acounter clockwise sponsor direction atiltszthermercury 'switch 1.4 saasztoiclose the :switchand .the associated .electric fcircuit and -thus :operates one or more signals. the

operator''s .attention :is called '.-to 'the signal, .he knows vthat the Y@predetermined .time vhas elapsed and attends `tocthe duties :required of him .by such lapseiof time. .Asz-soon as he`ihas;doneso,:he;may stop the .signal or signals :by rotating .the knurled head 16 and .theshait 1.5 thus rotating ftheshait E6 lthrough :the .link 19. 'He thus opens l.the ,contacts in the mercury switch 14, 'breaking .theielecvtric circuit, .and :stoppingtheisign'aL This .action also resets 'the .mechanism Vinasmuch as rotation of .the shaft 5.66 allows the ,-.spring :80 lassuming that the pin (e. g. .the :pin .1.51) has passed .the .extension 48),., .to return .the ihoolr ;64 fto the notch "ly I.. Ehe fapparatus is :ready `for zthe .next signal which may .be :caused zby contact .ofthe pin LB with lthe .extensionl :It is to :be understood that the {operator may, Cif .he desires, Apostpone resetting the .mechanismgfor'any reasonable .length of timeprovided yhe has .other .duties zwhich require hisattentionyinasmuch as .themotor 4| vcontinues to drive the fdisk L5 :regardless of :whether the switch 1.14 is iin .an .openfor closed position and regardless .of `the .position :of .the shafts L49, t5 and .15.

The .electric .circuit Ais .shown diagrammatically 8. Electric current is supplied from a sourceiindicatedby thepostsl85 4and 8B. It flows through leads .810., v181b,?81c,.and 81d provided the manual-switohB is closed,.andthus continuously operates the synchronous .motor 14|. When the mercury .switch .14 is also iclosed, current also operates I'the light'signal 95| and thebellg The light signal 9| fis zalso shown in Fig. 1 but Vthe bell signal :92 :and themanual switchy 88 are shown only viin .2Fig. 8 inasmuch as I prefer that these parts .be .-provide'dseparately from the unit Il.

In this connection it is 'clear that my timer can be used for other purposes than that of operating a signal Ainasmuch-as lthe taps 85 and 86 may Vbe connected .to any ftype A of device which it is desirable to operate at theendof a'predetermined time or to operate several times at the end of various predetermined times.

Referring again to Fig. 11, :it'may be seen lthat Ifhave'illustrated arcuate strips .93 .and Biliormed with holes :S5 into which spare pegs $35 Aof the type shown in I1, i8 and lil may be kept 'when not inruse. `I have also shownat'i a clip pointer whichlmaybe attached to the annular dial lll to indicate the point on the dial ifrom which `a :pin started in the timing operation. Only one of the pointers 91 is illustrated, 'but the operator could, :if he had desired, place one pointer for each .of the `.pins Il., A[i8 fand iS to indicate the point from which it started. The placing of only the one pointer 91 might be considered to indicate that each of the pins l1, IB and i9 started from the same place, i. e. the point indicated by the pointer 91. For instance, this might indicate that there were three sets of material being processed, each of the materials requiring a time of eighty and one-quarter minutes, and the position of the pins would indicate that the whole time had elapsed for one set, approximately forty minutes for the second set and approximately twenty minutes for the third set.

It is believed that the operation of my improved apparatus will be apparent from the above description. With parts in the position shown in the drawings we will assume that it was desired to time a series of operations each for a period o'fxeightyfan'd one-:quarterxminutes .'lhegoperator 'has .inserted the :peg ljnanppeningnt a time that `the fopening .was at the lpoint indicated lio-y the .pointer 91. ',Thesynchronousmotor14;! zeontinued through athe Agears 43, Q44, 45 :and `t1 to drive the ldisk :L5 ain:a :clockwise fidirection. vSubsequently it was :desired --to time .additional batches andthe pins :it and :1.9 wereinsertedLin holes which .atthe times .oi Ltheiriinsertion were opposite thezpointerrtl. -when the pinil lmeach'es the ipoint shown in .Fig il, it .contacts,;as :shown in Eig. .4,fwith1the arm 48 androtates ythe shaft 49 thus turning the .tripleverleafi iandnemoving the hook 64 from the notch 1l. 'Ihisrallows thespring ato .rotate thefshaftl inaicounterclockwise direction fclosing 'the zswitoh .14 land through .the :electric circuit illustrated 'in sFig. '18, operating the .signals .Sii and .292. The foperator removes the yindicated hatch of Ymaterial from the processing operation. After xthe fpin 1.1 .has passed the lever 1&8, Y.the .operator rotates the knurled head'sl' ina-clockwise=directionftunning the -shafts 'liandli clockwise against the action of the spring .83. .'llhis'rpermitszthe spring .80 :to rotate the shaft `vliti in a counterclockwise direction and move 'the hook 64 .into 'the .notch 1.1. When the pin iiireaches `thearmwi,iitlsiniilarly closes the switch `and actuates .the signals and soalso when E.the pin i9 reaches thezarmid. It may be thusseen:that-.alarge numberof Loperations :may be timed Aat `the :same :time .by ithe Luse of my apparatus; ethatfeachitirningoperationis entirely independent Aof each other; .and that each may startfatany time. .Littlechance isileft for the operator to :make mistakes.inasrnucnas all thathe had'to do `is :insertithe peg iwhich is associated with .therindicated-batch ofimaterial at thetime thatithe.processstarts .Itfshouldihe understood 'that the .pegs `nra-y Pbe :numbered if desired. Numerals such asthoseindicated at 198 may be rplaced at appropriate .positionsnn the annular dial I li, it being understood .that .more or less numerals :than zare shown may :be provided. A clockSt-is also provided. .Itisfalsoto be understood that Vthough :We :have .at :times :referred herein Lto .a cooking ioperation, lthis .apparatus is intended foriusenotronly for .timing such operations .but also for `timing a great l.variety of industrial processes :such `as .pickling plating, annealing, polymerization, etc.

From the above :disclosure itis apparentithat there :is provided a1process timer which1isrzrelatively small, light weight .and ruggedly .constructed, and. which 'is vadapted :to be .enclosed .in a moisture sealed leasing. This timing device is self ycalculating having .a :timing `:ring marked at ve minute intervals ifor :a :two-'hour vperiod, which lis standard. There isalsoprovidedrnumberedbaitchor lot pinsadapted Ito beinsertedjn a Irotating .disc opposite time :units marked on :.a stationary timing ring. The disc then carries the pin or pins sc inserted around to a Signal circuit switch which is tripped to close a circuit operating the signal horn. After the switch is closed the pin or pins can be withdrawn and the switch manually returned to the open position. However, it is to be noted that the signal circuit remains closed and the horn continues to blow until the switch is returned to the olf or open position, thus opening the circuit. In view of the fact that the signal circuit used can be connected to a commercial power source supplying, for example, 110 volt 60 cycle alternating current the timer can be placed almost anywhere within a plant and connected to an industrial type of howler horn. Such a signal can be heard readily above the usual operating noises, since voltage drop is eliminated and sucient power can be supplied to operate a loud signal. The timer is also provided with a pilot light which glows when the timer is in operation and with a clock to aid in the timing operation, all of which can be opn erated from the signal circuit if desired.

It is to be understood that the above described embodiments of my invention are for the purpose of illustration only and various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A timer adapted to signal the passing of predetermined and varying periods of time comprising in combination an electrical signal circuit adapted to be energized from a commercial power source, said signal circuit being normally open and having a signal means operated thereby when closed, a circular timing dial marked to indicate units of time within a predetermined period of time, a rotatable disc formed with a plurality of holes in the upper surface thereof adjacent to the outer edge and in close spaced relation with said time units on the dial, an electrically operated motor connected in said circuit and to said disc providing movement thereof at a constant rate relative to the timing dial, a removable circuit controlling pin adapted to be inserted in the nearest one of said holes opposite a preselected time unit marked on the timing dial indicating a period of time which is to elapse before the signal circuit is closed, a normally open -switch in said signal circuit provided with means arranged in a predetermined position on said timing dial to close said switch when said pin moves into contact therewith after travelling for the selected period of time, and marking means movably positioned to indicate the starting point of said pin in its travel relative to the timing dial.

2. A timer adapted to signal the passing of predetermined and varying periods of time comprising an electrical signal circuit adapted to be energized from a commercial power source, said signal circuit being normally open and having a signal means operated thereby when closed, a circular timing dial marked to indicate units of time within a predetermined period of time, a rotatable disc having a plurality of holes in the upper surface thereof adjacent to the outer edge and in close spaced relation Iwith said time units on the dial, a uniform speed motor in said circuit and driving said rotatable disc; a plurality of removable circuit controlling pins adapted to be inserted in the nearest of said holes opposite preselected time units marked on the timing dial indicating varying periods of time which are to elapse before the signal circuit is closed; a normally open manually operated switch in' said signal circuit provided with means arranged in a predetermined position on said timing dial to close said switch when the rst of said pins move into contact therewith after travelling for its selected period of time, and a movable marker adapted to be positioned on the timing dial opposite the starting position of each of said pins to indicate the period of time travelled by each pin from its starting point relative to the circuit closing means.

3. A self calculating timer contained within a moisture sealed casing and adapted to signal the passing of predetermined and varying periods of time comprising in combination, an electrical signal circuit adapted to be energized from a commercial power source, said signal circuit being normally open and having a signal means operated thereby when closed, a circular timing dial marked to indicate units of time within a predetermined period of time, a rotatable disc formed with a plurality of holes in the upper surface thereof adjacent to the outer edge and in close spaced relation with said time units on the dial, an electrically operated motor connected in said circuit and to said disc providing movement thereof at a constant rate relative to the timing dial, a removable circuit controlling pin adapted to be inserted in the nearest one of said holes opposite a preselected time unit marked on the timing dial indicating a period of time which is to elapse before the signal circuit is closed, a normally open switch in said signal circuit provided with means arranged in a predetermined position on said timing dial to close said switch when said pin moves into contact therewith after travelling for the selected period of time, and a marker movably positioned on the timing dial to indicate the starting point of said pin in its travel relative to the timing dial.

GEORGE W. CARMICHAEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 890,134 Gaillard June 9, 1908 1,904,579 Vandevelde Apr. 18, 1933 2,059,925 Atticks Nov. 3, 1936 2,076,733 Lawrence Apr. 13, 1937 2,168,662 Babcock Aug. 8, 1939 2,327,319 Sandell Aug. 17, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 14,913 Great Britain July 19, 1899 

